just back from Kidani Village

[allicat]

Just back from Kidani Village and absolutely loved it. We had a great room location(rm 7210)-it was close to everything. The pool area was very nice,never too long of a wait for buses either. I really have only good things to say about this resort. Any questions-please ask!

 

[walkdmc]

Did you participate in any resort activities?

Did you shop at a grocery store nearby? If so, would you recommend it and did they sell wine?

We're arriving there on 11/13, can't wait!

Thanks

 

[nolanboys]

Did you participate in any resort activities?

Did you shop at a grocery store nearby? If so, would you recommend it and did they sell wine?

We're arriving there on 11/13, can't wait!

Thanks

Just have to chime in that we loved Kidani too. Stayed there for the first time this October. They sell wine at the store, and if you walk over to Mara in Jambo house, they have quite a large selection on sale there. There were lots of activities offered, but because it was only DH and myself, we didn;t do as many. We did enjoy the pool party and talking to the CMs about the animals.

 

[ercrbc]

I am so glad to see so many positive AKV reviews! I just switched our June reservation to AKV-Kidani and can't wait! We are taking a big group and I wanted the 3rd bathroom. We stayed at Jambo last year and DH wanted to try Kidani next after spending an afternoon at the pool.

How is the parking? I know it is under the building, is it very easy to access from all over the resort? I requested close to pool. Figured close to parking was a given anywhere, I hope that is true!

Now I just have to patiently wait for June....

 

[drusba]

Parking at Kidani is ideal no matter where your room, the under building parking runs throughout the entire building and each of the two wings has two elevators along the wing so you can always park fairly close to an elevator which is then fairly close to your room.

As to the question about "the grocery store nearby," if you are talking about off-site, the closest is a Publix (about a 5 to 10 minute drive depending on traffic), has wine and beer and is a nice well-maintained store.

 

[toesmom]

Parking at Kidani is ideal no matter where your room, the under building parking runs throughout the entire building and each of the two wings has two elevators along the wing so you can always park fairly close to an elevator which is then fairly close to your room.

As to the question about "the grocery store nearby," if you are talking about off-site, the closest is a Publix (about a 5 to 10 minute drive depending on traffic), has wine and beer and is a nice well-maintained store.

I would go to the Super Target, probably just about 10 minute drive at most. Avoid the Wal-Mart, super crazy and busy.

 

[Havana]

I'm hesitant to try Kidani, because I just LOVE walking into the Jambo lobby on the way to my way to the room. Did you feel like you were missing out on anything?
I really like how the car would be closer to the room at Kidani, as we drive everywhere.

 

[BigDogHU75]

I'm hesitant to try Kidani, because I just LOVE walking into the Jambo lobby on the way to my way to the room. Did you feel like you were missing out on anything?
I really like how the car would be closer to the room at Kidani, as we drive everywhere.

When we stay at Kidani, I do not fell like I am missing out on anything. The lobby is beautiful, not as grand as Jambo but still beautiful. Plus, you can always visit Jambo House. We had breakfast at Boma during our last stay. I do prefer Kidani.

 

[Principessa]

OP, thanks for offering to answer questions! I will be staying with MIL92 and MIL's friend in Kidani next January. How will I be able to get these two ladies to Jambo house for dinner? How much time should I allow? We will not have a car. From what I have read, I believe it is a ten minute walk for an average person, or a five minute run for a teenager, on a path between Kidani and Jambo House? I think there is a shuttle van between the two - or is it just the AK bus that would go to say MK and stops at Kidani and Jambo? I have been to Boma once for dinner in 2005 so I'm clueless!

Also, I believe there is a counter service place in Kidani that sells breakfast and lunch item? The ladies will stay at the resort and walk around (slowly) on their own during the day. I guess I need to request a room close to ???? so they don't have to walk 10 minutes down a hallway to/from the room? We will be in a 2BR lockoff.

Has anyone slept on the sofa bed in the 1BR side? Is this too low to the ground for a spry 92 yr old to use?

Thanks for any hints anyone can offer. I do search threads to see what has been said in the past but it's hard to find all the good info!

 

[drusba]

OP, thanks for offering to answer questions! I will be staying with MIL92 and MIL's friend in Kidani next January. How will I be able to get these two ladies to Jambo house for dinner? How much time should I allow? We will not have a car. From what I have read, I believe it is a ten minute walk for an average person, or a five minute run for a teenager, on a path between Kidani and Jambo House? I think there is a shuttle van between the two - or is it just the AK bus that would go to say MK and stops at Kidani and Jambo? I have been to Boma once for dinner in 2005 so I'm clueless!

Also, I believe there is a counter service place in Kidani that sells breakfast and lunch item? The ladies will stay at the resort and walk around (slowly) on their own during the day. I guess I need to request a room close to ???? so they don't have to walk 10 minutes down a hallway to/from the room? We will be in a 2BR lockoff.

Has anyone slept on the sofa bed in the 1BR side? Is this too low to the ground for a spry 92 yr old to use?

Thanks for any hints anyone can offer. I do search threads to see what has been said in the past but it's hard to find all the good info!

Walk between Kidani and Jambo, front door to front door, is about 1/2 mile and takes about 10 minutes normal pace so you would need to allow more. You can instead take a bus (park busses go from Kidani to Jambo and DD bus from Jambo to Kidani) and lately they have had a shuttle (cart) to take guests.

There is no counter service at Kidani, only a table service restaurant (Sanaa which is excellent) and the pool bar where you can get sandwiches and the like during the day.

You should request room close to lobby and you might explain need because of age of guests. Close to lobby puts you close to pool, restaurant, community center, store. Problem with Kidani is that walk from rooms to lobby can be long if you are near end of wing, and by long I mean longer than you can ever imagine down an internal hallway in a hotel (distance is over a 1/4 mile from lobby to last rooms on north wing).

Sofa bed should be OK, it folds out so that it is actually a little higher than what would be seat level on the couch.

 

[CruznLexi]

We love Kidani we love that it is not crazy noisy and busy. We love the pool and hut tub and slide. We have eaten at Boma, Mara and Sanna. We don't spend all day at the park. It is nice to come hang out at the pool. Thier is transport from KV to Jambo. Never had to wait more than a few minutes but one day at Jambo we did wait about 20 min.
Lexi

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

When I went last summer we had a 2 BR SV. I asked to be close to the pool since my kids love the pool. We were given room 7624 which is the first room on the third bead but also right next to the elevator that came out in the parking garage at the pool. I felt like I won the room lottery. I love Kidani and thought the pool was perfect for our family ( 7 yr old twin boys).

 

[Principessa]

Walk between Kidani and Jambo, front door to front door, is about 1/2 mile and takes about 10 minutes normal pace so you would need to allow more. You can instead take a bus (park busses go from Kidani to Jambo and DD bus from Jambo to Kidani) and lately they have had a shuttle (cart) to take guests.

There is no counter service at Kidani, only a table service restaurant (Sanaa which is excellent) and the pool bar where you can get sandwiches and the like during the day.

You should request room close to lobby and you might explain need because of age of guests. Close to lobby puts you close to pool, restaurant, community center, store. Problem with Kidani is that walk from rooms to lobby can be long if you are near end of wing, and by long I mean longer than you can ever imagine down an internal hallway in a hotel (distance is over a 1/4 mile from lobby to last rooms on north wing).

Sofa bed should be OK, it folds out so that it is actually a little higher than what would be seat level on the couch.

drusba, thanks for your answer. Just what I needed to know! I'll make that close to lobby request. This is going to be a fun trip: taking two seniors citizens and two teenagers! I may be a regular guest at the adult beverage counter!

 

[TiaMaria]

drusba, thanks for your answer. Just what I needed to know! I'll make that close to lobby request. This is going to be a fun trip: taking two seniors citizens and two teenagers! I may be a regular guest at the adult beverage counter!

Just wanted to chime in that there is VERY LIMITED CS at the pool bar at Kidani. I'm talking chicken caesar salad and club sandwich limited. Maybe the PBJ for the kids. They also make these available if you are on the DP, but again, just a couple of choices if you want to eat at the pool. Very nice presentation, but extremely limited.

In-room dining is also available by phone from the pool bar at Kidani, but not included on the DP.

Hope that gives you a little bit more info on food choices at my favorite "home"!

 

[Desnik]

We love Kidani village too! So nice to see it continue to get such great reviews!

I just wanted to chime in on the food available at the pool. We ordered from the in room dining by using the phone at the bar area. There is a large enough selection and the food was great! They bring it out to your table and will even bring it over to your chairs around the pool! They come in these neat boxes too. We loved it and were so glad they offered that because the selection at the bar is very limited. But we didn't feel like we were loosing out not being close to the Mara.

We hope to be there in Aug 2011 because Kidani and AKL in general has become a favorite of ours!

 

[walkdmc]

Is it the one on Orange Blossom Trail?

In June, we stayed at BLT and drove to Gatorland. On the way back to BLT, we stopped at one of the nicest Super Targets I've been in. I'd love to go to that one again but for the life of me cannot remember what road it was on.
There was a Sally Beauty in the same center, with a few other stores.

Does anyone know what Super Target I'm talking about? TIA!

 

[toesmom]

Is it the one on Orange Blossom Trail?

In June, we stayed at BLT and drove to Gatorland. On the way back to BLT, we stopped at one of the nicest Super Targets I've been in. I'd love to go to that one again but for the life of me cannot remember what road it was on.
There was a Sally Beauty in the same center, with a few other stores.

Does anyone know what Super Target I'm talking about? TIA!

That is the one. That is the only store we'll shop at for our future trips.

A quick google search for super target near disney world should bring it up.

 

[SamSam]

There is also a Super Target right across from the Publix that was mentioned. Take Sherberth Rd (first road leaving AKV) south to 192, take a left and drive approx. 2 miles. Publix is on the right and Super Target on the left, both have good selections and good prices.

 

[dsneygirl]

There is also a Super Target right across from the Publix that was mentioned. Take Sherberth Rd (first road leaving AKV) south to 192, take a left and drive approx. 2 miles. Publix is on the right and Super Target on the left, both have good selections and good prices.

This is the one we usually go to it was brand new in 2009 and never seems to be busy. I don't think a lot of people know it is there. There's also a Chik Fil A down that road. It is probably 7-10min.

 

[walkdmc]

from a park, where does it go? Do you have to go to Jambo for it? Or, will it be in the little gift shop at Kidani?

TIA!